Alvin Stardust is a name the younger generation may not be familiar with - but he helped to inspire dozens of today's chart stars.

The singer and actor, who is best known for 1970s hits such as My Coo Ca Choo, died aged 72 after a short illness this week and fans have been paying tribute to the leather-clad star who had an incredibly successful career.

Alvin was born Born Bernard Jewry in London but grew up in Mansfield and made his debut on stage when he was four years old in a pantomime.

He later became a friend and roadie for the rock group, Shane Fenton and the Fentones.

The lead singer, Johnny Theakstone, suddenly died of a heart condition caused by a childhood illness and Bernard was asked to reform the group after they split in memory of him.

Bernard's rise to fame was sudden and the band won a record deal in 1961, having their first chart hit with I'm A Moody Guy. It was around the time the Beatles were taking the world by storm.

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The Fentones didn't last, but in 1970, when Bernard was living with his wife and son in Liverpool, he was asked to front the song My Coo Ca Choo, written by Peter Shelley.

The pair came up with Alvin Stardust and he hurriedly dyed his hair black for a performance on Top Of The Pops, staining his hands in the process and choosing to cover them up with leather gloves, which later became part of his famous look.

The glam rock star was once described as "the Godfather of British Rock 'n' Roll" by Rolling Stone legend Keith Richards and he had 11 UK top 40 singles during his career.

Alvin had three children from his two previous marriages to Iris Caldwell and Liza Goddard, sons Shaun and Adam - better known as producer and DJ Adam F - and daughter Sophie, and another daughter, Millie, 13, with third wife Julie Paton.

The Jealous Mind star later had success in musical theatre - his biggest role being the child catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

He also landed roles on television shows including Hollyoaks and Doctors but was planning to release his first album since 1984, Alvin, at the start of November.

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He said on his official website last month: "I am extremely delighted to announce that my new album is now finished and will be released at the beginning of November by Conehead Records.

"Alvin is a new and exciting departure for me and I'm immensly proud of the finished product and the amazing work of Richard Scott and Scott Ralph of Daftdog Productions in recording and producing it."

Fans are sad he won't be alive to see the release of his new music, after he was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer and died at home with his wife and family around him.

Stars have posted touching tributes to Alvin today and flooded Twitter and Facebook. Take a look at our tribute video to the singer..